LR Motors under new ownership

Specialist Land Rover Defender dealership LR Motors has a new owner.

Ross Munro was part of the team that established the North Yorkshire based business in November 2015 and has been running operations ever since. 

Munro has completed the purchase of the company from Twisted Automotive founder Charles Fawcett – and has set about spearheading a subtle change in direction for the firm, which specialises in the sale of used Defender vehicles and custom works to client vehicles.

Twisted Automotive has followed the opening of a new Yorkshire HQ with the opening of a new showroom in London.

The LR Classic range will recreate the limited-edition Defender and early 90 and 110 models, with restorations including a V8 engine, a new chassis where necessary and alterations to improve comfort, performance, and longevity, the company said.

Munro said the emphasis was on sustainability, extending the lifetime of classic and vintage vehicles to up to 80 years.

“We are taking Defender and early 90 and 110 models that are 20, even 40 years old and recreating them so that they last for another 20 or 40 years. These vintage vehicles have an enduring appeal but are a sustainable alternative to buying brand new vehicles,” Munro explained.

“Our commitment is to give every vehicle a new lease of life, with just two or three LR Classic vehicles being built every year. 

“We are dedicated to ensuring we live in an environmentally friendly world; this includes sourcing parts as locally as possible, to reduced shipment miles – a very different story from that of brand-new vehicles, that are commonly assembled overseas.

“Whereas originally, we concentrated on selling high quality used Defender, great examples are becoming rarer to source and we want to shift our focus to the LR Classic.”

The business remains in Thirsk, with a showroom and workshop facility at Severfield Close.

A stronger online presence has already been established, the company said, with Defender owners across the UK keen to order LR branded accessories and LR Surplus parts for their vehicles during lockdown.

The LR custom Works division of the business will continue, with Munro taking on another technician for the workshop, while plans are in the pipeline to further expand the team.

The existing CAN-AM and Sea-Doo franchises will continue to operate.